Nearly 50 Distribution Utilities Charge Residential Electricity Rates Above Already-High National Average
Nearly 50 distribution utilities (DUs) recorded residential electricity rates above the national average of ₱12.43 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in June 2026, indicating that consumers in many parts of the Philippines continue to pay significantly more than the national benchmark, according to an analysis by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC). The findings underscore how differences in distribution utilities’ power supply can influence electricity costs across the country, underscoring the importance of building a more diversified and resilient power mix. The analysis comes after the Department of Energy's (DOE) announcement that the Philippines has the highest average residential [...]
First Time in Fiji in Solidarity with 350 Pacific Climate Warriors
By Mark Gil Nuguit Editor’s Note: Mark Gil Nuguit serves as ICSC’s RE-Charge Pilipinas Innovations Officer, based in the organization’s regional office in Tacloban City, Leyte. I was fortunate to be part of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) five-person Team that facilitated the Solar Scholars Training in Nadi, Fiji, last May, to teach 14 community leaders from Fiji, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu how to assemble, install, and maintain community solar photovoltaic systems (CSPVS). I felt excited and nervous because it was my first time serving as a primary trainer in the Solar Scholars Training and my [...]
Eastern Samar advances province-wide renewable energy roadmap, strengthens coordinated energy planning
Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities PRESS RELEASE QUEZON CITY, 21 May 2026 — The Provincial Government of Eastern Samar advances its commitment to a cleaner, more resilient, and community-centered energy future during the “Localizing Energy Transition: Empowering Local Government to Co-Create the Renewable Energy Roadmap,” held on May 18 to 21. 2026. In partnership with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), the workshop convened members of the Technical Working Group (TWG), comprising decision-makers and representatives from key provincial government offices of Eastern Samar, including the Provincial Governor’s Office, Provincial Administrator’s Office, Budget Office, Planning and Development [...]
CDO LGU revisits local energy plan, reaffirms commitments on energy transition
Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities PRESS RELEASE CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, 11 May 2026 - The City Government of Cagayan de Oro, together with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), took a significant step toward crafting the city's Renewable Energy (RE) Plan and Roadmap and ensured a whole-of-system, multistakeholder approach to energy planning in a workshop held from May 5 to 7, 2026. The three-day workshop reviewed and validated the 2024 Draft Local Energy Plan through an Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) approach. The process supported the step-by-step review of plans, assessment of the local energy stream, [...]
Northern Samar LGU pledges to build a more resilient, affordable, and sustainable energy system through renewables
Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities PRESS RELEASE QUEZON CITY, 05 May 2026 – The Provincial Government of Northern Samar declared their commitment and determination to advance a cleaner and more sustainable energy future for the province during the Renewable Energy (RE) Roadmap Scoping Workshop with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), held from April 27-30, 2026. The recent workshop is part of a series of engagements organized by ICSC following the Memorandum of Agreement with Eastern Visayas local chief executives, which aim to institutionalize participatory local energy planning, craft local RE ordinances, and mobilize innovative financing [...]